Do USB cables make a difference?

I had an opportunity to compare Totaldac D1 USB cable with Curious USB cable for a month. I am currently listening to a Siltech Golden Universal II USB on loan with less than 10 hours of use. All cables are one meter long and the constant is the Totaldac D1 USB. The cable connects a fully linear-powered, and more optimized CAPS V4 media player with Totaldac reclocker/D1 Dual DAC. The analog side goes to Ayre VXR or integrated tube amp to Vivids. My opinion in my setup and environment is as follows:

(1) Curious USB: It has taut bass and fine sound staging. In complex passages, the high frequency seems a tiny bit splashy. Reviewers like it with laptop computers and marveled at the large sound stage produced through ambiance reproduction. In my setup, I felt the tiny splash seemed to be noise related. I thought it was different but not necessarily better than Totaldac USB. The people at Curious are a joy to deal with.

(2) Totaldac USB: Slightly darker, also spacious sounding. Vocal has a nice quality. This one is more analog like and musical. Bass is more rounded but still appealing. It may be one of the more satisfying USB cables in that price range.

(3) Siltech Golden Universal II USB: I started listening after only 2 hours of break-in and now on the 3rd listening session with probably less than 10 total hours. This is one of the few components producing benefit from the start. Unfortunately this one is quite expensive, but it is also clearly the best of the pack by a good margin. This cable is smooth, elegant in high frequency, delicate in mid-range tones, bass not as taut as Curious but nicely textured, and foremost musical. The overriding impression is high quality. In complex passages, this cable is relaxed and unthread dense materials well. Surprisingly, this unhifi cable produces the best sound stage scale with delicate layers. There is a Vertere Pulse HB USB with a bit of buzz. Upon hearing the Siltech, I lost interest to venture out any more. In my limited experience, it is not easy for highly anticipated components to produce meaningful gratification. I should leave good enough (what a good enough) alone. I think I will just stop at this level. I am ordering this cable at a bit longer length soon.

I would love to hear from anyone having compared Siltech G7 USB with S8 Crown USB.
 
We did a USB cable shoot out a few months ago at my home with 3 other audio guys. We used a $600 light speed, WW Platinum, WW Starlight Red and a Pangea silver. The Platinum sounded neutral with a bit of warm overtones. It was detailed and sounded the best. The WW Red sounded veiled in comparison. The Lightspeed was the most detail but unbearably bright. The Pangea was the worst sounding. It was bright and thin sounding, almost tinny.

Interesting, my friend who owns the Lightspeed and WW Platinum uses the LS in his system as it does not sound bright at all. He prefers it over the Platinum.

We tried all the cables with and without a Regen. With the Regen, interestingly, all the cables sounded very similar, except for the Pangea which sounded better but it still had a thin and bright sound.


I recently bought a pair of AQ Colombia 72v DBS XLR's from music direct for 1/2 off and there was a very nice improvement in sound. There is a blacker background and a decrease in vocal sibilants along with more transparency. Bass is tighter but just a little less prominent. I tried it between my pre and amp and the decrease in bass was noticeable. I moved it my dac and pre and it still had all the benefits without the decrease in bass.
 
Hi Mike | Fellas,

While it has been awhile since my last visit, as I've become more and more content with the other all performance of my system and feel as if I've come to a point in life, where I've more or less learned pretty much all I can, so there are times where I simply prefer to listen to music and have found it more and more difficult to want to write about said components on any of the forums in which I once enjoyed trying to share ideals on said matters.

Yet I'm curious ( pun intended ) to know if in fact the Curiuos USB cable still can be seen as a worthwhile purchase?, and have anyone taken the time to compare theirs along side say USB cables like the JCAT Reference | PI Audio Group USB | Acoustic Revive types?, and what their outcomes might've been?

As this is the final chapter in my quest for system building, as I'm looking at adding either an Aurender N100H or Lumin D1 after the new year, I'm still concerned about spending upwards of $700 on any given brand of USB cable, so would then ask as to which one offers a greater sense of musicality as well as purity of note, to where I'd be able to enjoy it for time to come?.

And being the out the box thinking that I'm, I'm open-minded to what each feels is their own truth on said matters of this topic, please share your insight on this one even further.........., and while I'm late to the party, I'm still interested in each of your findings.
 
Good to hear from you. The curious cable is a full, meaty, warm sounding cable. In some systems, that's a good thing. In other system, they may wish for more resolution and detail.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Mike said:
Good to hear from you. The curious cable is a full, meaty, warm sounding cable. In some systems, that's a good thing. In other system, they may wish for more resolution and detail.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Thanks Mike,

It's nice to hear from you as well........., and I hope that all is well with you after hearing how you guys suffered to a hurricane in your neck of the woods.

After having just read through a few articles here, it seems as if the TotalDac D1 or CAD USB cables might actually be the two brands I should be looking into, so let's see where this goes?, as it stands I'd much prefer a cable that's in the warmer | richer side as opposed to something which might come across as unnatural overtime, and while $380 isn't much on my end, if a $500 - $700 USB cable is going to prove better over the long haul........., then I'm all for it.

Thanks for responding to my post, as I've always found your " truths " most insightful.
 
I have the WW Platinum 7 and TotalDac D1 USB cables.

The Platinum 7 is the resolution and transparency champ. Every bit of detail and nuance is brought out. Bass is very tight. Imaging is precise and the soundstage is set back somewhat. The treble and upper midrange can be edgy on certain music to the point that it caused me to go shopping again.

The TotalDac D1 is very organic and musical. The treble and upper midrange are very smooth on most music. The bass is more rounded but is still enjoyable. The imaging is less precise than the Platinum 7 but there is more air around vocals and instruments. The soundstage is more forward than the Platinum 7 and considerably wider. There is noticeably less transparency and detail than the Platinum 7. Initially, I was enjoying this cable more than the Platinum 7 but over time I began to miss the Platinum 7's greater transparency. Consequently, I switched back to the Platinum 7.

To sum it up, both USB cables have their strengths and weaknesses. Neither one is my USB destination cable. I am still currently using the WW Platinum 7.

Ken
 
Alpinist said:
I have the WW Platinum 7 and TotalDac D1 USB cables.

The Platinum 7 is the resolution and transparency champ. Every bit of detail and nuance is brought out. Bass is very tight. Imaging is precise and the soundstage is set back somewhat. The treble and upper midrange can be edgy on certain music to the point that it caused me to go shopping again.

The TotalDac D1 is very organic and musical. The treble and upper midrange are very smooth on most music. The bass is more rounded but is still enjoyable. The imaging is less precise than the Platinum 7 but there is more air around vocals and instruments. The soundstage is more forward than the Platinum 7 and considerably wider. There is noticeably less transparency and detail than the Platinum 7. Initially, I was enjoying this cable more than the Platinum 7 but over time I began to miss the Platinum 7's greater transparency. Consequently, I switched back to the Platinum 7.

To sum it up, both USB cables have their strengths and weaknesses. Neither one is my USB destination cable. I am still currently using the WW Platinum 7.

Ken
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Hello Ken,

Thank you for taking the time to respond to this as well, as it was because I read through your postings on the TotalDac D1, that caught my attention........., as I recalled a Korean buddy of mine uses one, along side the CAD USB cable as I believe he's fond of copper based USB cables and cabling in general as he uses the Shun Mook versions of the vintage WE cabling throughout his entire system.

And being that I've borrowed the AudioQuest Diamond | WW Platinum Starlight 7 | Synergistic Research Active USB cables, which all seemingly get great ink, yet to my ears each seemed unnatural and forced if you will........., as if they were trying their best to capture ones attention in a more Hi-Fi'sh manner at the expense of overall textural richest | purity | tonal shadings of the actual notes themselves.

And seeming that I'm now in a place where, I'd much rather have cabling which offer me a more emotional means of being drawn into the notes themselves, as opposed to having them forced upon me so brutally.........., I believe the warmer type of presentation would serve me better, as I've found that by using pure silver or silver plated aerospace type ICs and USB cabling on the source ( MAC Mini | PS Audio NuWave DSD DAC ) into either of my three different flavors of Integrated's, followed by the use of UP-OCC-A 7-8N graded copper in the AC Cords | LS Cables ( while used as tone controls........, oh no ) have counterbalanced the sound of each to then create a very fine balance between resolution | refinement | transparency where to much of a good thing can in fact throw the sonics out of whack.

So, I'm then to assume I'm more inclined to pursue the USB cables like said TotalDac D1 | Acoustic Revive Dual-Head and CAD versions after all.

Once again, I view the server side of things as my final additional to my system which has been carefully voiced over the course of the last seven years to please my senses.........., and in the end, I'm to believe that each of us has their own flavoring in mind from the start?, lest why bother chasing after component, with no clear direction for an endgame in mind?.

Grown isn't a given, but commonsense goes a longways over the years of soul searching in this shared hobby.

Thanks again, my path has just become that much more clearer.
 
I have not had the opportunity to compare with some of the higher dollar USB cables, but I have tried Supra, Ifi, and Belkin gold. Then after reading the reviews I went for the Curious cables with the Regen. For me in my system it was a very good choice. Very holographic with very good depth. Sonic balance is as Mike stated a little on the warm side, with a very smooth and clear mid, good bass and a very slight softness on top. Which can be a plus for some over bright speakers. (as you are aware of tuning with wires). For the price, I think they are an excellent deal. If you purchased them and didn't like them they would be an easy sell.
 
jadedavid said:
I have not had the opportunity to compare with some of the higher dollar USB cables, but I have tried Supra, Ifi, and Belkin gold. Then after reading the reviews I went for the Curious cables with the Regen. For me in my system it was a very good choice. Very holographic with very good depth. Sonic balance is as Mike stated a little on the warm side, with a very smooth and clear mid, good bass and a very slight softness on top. Which can be a plus for some over bright speakers. (as you are aware of tuning with wires). For the price, I think they are an excellent deal. If you purchased them and didn't like them they would be an easy sell.
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Goodevening Jadedavid,

Youve made a very valid point........., and rethinking all of this, I'm inclined to try the Curiuos | TotalDac D1 | WW Platinum Starlight 7 USB cabling once again, and merely pursue the one which speaks to my senses in a manner in which I never question myself on what sounds | feels right, and buy accordingly.

Thanks to those of you whom were willing to add your insight on said matters, as it's the one area where I'm still learning........., but one in which I'm eager to learn and get behind me.

Have a great weekend ( or what's left of it ) to each of you........., as you've each opened my mind to the possibilities of " what if?".
 
I have been on record recommending the Curious USB Cables.

I still use mine, but now with the PS Audio LanRover, which introduces an ethernet cable between two USB short connectors (I eventually replaced mine with an AQ ethernet cable) which can allow for longer runs than straight USB. But I like the LanRover because it just sounds better than USB alone, even if it is Curious.... :rolleyes:

http://www.psaudio.com/products/lanrover-usb-transporter/
 
jadedavid said:
Very interesting Jim. Thanks for the info and link. Are the two short USB connecting cables provided with the unit?
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Very interesting indeed Jim.

Thanks for responding to this late post, on my behalf as well. It seems that I've some catching up to do on these 3 USB cables after all........
 
Hi all,

After all my questions on the Curiuos | TotalDac | WireWorld Platinum Starlight 7 USB cables, I took order via the Cable Company one of their deals on an Audience AU24 SE ( Show Special ) Single USB cable, and have to say that out the box I'm very impressed with its overall sense of refinement | sound staging | seperation of the notes themselves | layers and layers of hidden nuances as if presented anew | it's sense of beauty as heard and felt, as well as a keener sense of textural integrity and tonality.

As I'm awaiting shipment of the just released Emerald Physics USB Power ( in essence a USB device like the Intona | iFi Micro 3.0 USB | UpTone Audio Regen | W4S Recovery devices ) next week, here I'm thinking if I'd be forced to buy another one?, or just use it in tandem with a Cabledyne Vanguard or Pi Audio Group USB cable coming from the Mac Mini, with said AU24 SE from the device into my DAC.

Either way.........., I'd like to thank those of you whom added to this thread, as it really allowed me to narrow my options down much quicker then I thought, and once again I'm most grateful.
 
Nice! I bet that Audience is great.

I just added a Siltech Royal Signature USB to my system. Night and day better than my Curious, WW Platinum 7, etc.
 
Mike said:
Nice! I bet that Audience is great.

I just added a Siltech Royal Signature USB to my system. Night and day better than my Curious, WW Platinum 7, etc.
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Ahh shite, will you stop that already. :D looks like I'll have to upgrade so I can keep an ear on things...:baby:
 
Mike said:
Nice! I bet that Audience is great.

I just added a Siltech Royal Signature USB to my system. Night and day better than my Curious, WW Platinum 7, etc.
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Yes Mike.

It's a wonderfully musical cable, yet I'd dare say in the same league as your Siltech Royal Signature USB, yet if I close my eyes just some........, I can then dream it is such.

And then I wake up.........., either way it's just nice to be able to sample one that's over $500, as I'm not the type whom believes one stops at the $50 - $150 versions, and are content, in this hobby I've learned one very important lesson when it comes to cabling..........., higher priced ones if chosen correctly enhances ones sense of involvement, yet there are those rare occasions where a cheaper cable presents itself as more truthful to the source, so nothing is cast in stone, and it comes down to synergy above all else........, besides having a decent ear for tone and pitch as they relate to music that is.
 
Mike said:
Nice! I bet that Audience is great.

I just added a Siltech Royal Signature USB to my system. Night and day better than my Curious, WW Platinum 7, etc.
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Mike, make sure to try an UNpowered USB cable with your Lampi and any self powered USB Dac you have.
 
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